| The study focused on identifying illness behavior among Korean diabetics in a multi-therapeutic system in terms of efficacy of controlling blood glucose levels. A total of 83 patients were interviewed (41 males and 42 females) ranging from 20 to 80 years old. Fifty patients primarily depended on the treatments in Western medicine (PWM) and 33 patients primarily depended on holistic treatments (PHT). Three interview schedules were used: (1) the Diabetes Health Belief Scale, (2) Diabetes Psychosocial Questionnaire, and (3) the History of Diabetes Management. In-depth interviews were conducted with diabetics and health care specialists in a number of therapeutic institutions (i.e., Western medical hospital, Raw Vegetables Therapy Based on Five Elements Center, Purified Salt Therapy Center, Danchunhohup (breathing meditation) Center).;The study examined diabetes interventions including diet, exercise time, insulin or hypoglycemic pills, other therapies (raw vegetables therapies based on the five elements, purified salt therapies, Danchunhohup, traditional Korean medicine, and home remedies), education, family support, and self-concept and their influence on blood glucose levels. The holistic therapies are based on raw vegetable diet (or enzyme-included supplement), taking salt, and breathing (relaxation). Western therapies include diet, exercise and insulin or hypoglycemic pills. The average blood glucose levels are 165.8 mg/dl for PHT and 206.1 mg/dl for PWM. Insulin therapy in the combined groups, exercise time for PHT and self-concept for PHT are significantly related to lower blood glucose levels.;In general, most PHT tend to have strong self-concepts. Self-concept defined as meaning of being a diabetic patient is a predictor of blood glucose levels for PHT. Most PWM, however, reported being depressed or seeing diabetes as a final stage of life. This self-concept of PWM was strongly correlated to diet, exercise time, blood glucose levels, and family support, but not correlated to taking insulin or pills or doctor visits. Based on this research, the author makes recommendations for health care practitioners to provide accurate and detailed information on diet, exercise, and psychological support. |
